Sieving is the primary method for fraction separation, gradations, and particle size analysis for hundreds of different granular materials and powders like mineral soils, aggregates, powdered metals, dried food, pharmaceuticals, and more. All of these substances have unique properties and respond differently to different sieving actions. A surprising variety of sieve designs are built to test different materials more accurately or efficiently.
What Should I Know About Test Sieves?
One way to think of a “conventional” test sieve is one having a round brass or stainless-steel frame that nests with other sieves and mesh with an opening size from 4in to No. 635 (100mm to 20µm). We think of it as conventional because it is satisfactory for most test sieving methods and applications. Before we talk about non-conventional sieves, we need to understand the basic features important to all sieve types.
- Mesh Clearly, the most important feature of any test sieve is the opening sizes of its mesh. Published specifications from ASTM, ISO, AASHTO, and other standards organizations clearly state opening sizes and permissible tolerances. Knowing the requirements of the test method and the size range of the sample material will be your guide in selecting opening sizes.
As noted above, the most common sieve mesh materials are brass and stainless steel. Brass is used in applications where sparking is a potential hazard and previously was more economical than stainless steel. Nowadays, brass has become much more expensive because of the rising cost of copper. For longevity, wear resistance, low sample contamination, and economy, stainless steel is the winner when sieving most non-combustible materials.
The electroformed mesh is produced through the electrodeposition of nickel material on a stainless-steel substrate. The process results in precise and consistent square openings on a flat sieving surface. The electroformed mesh is expensive, and the finer sizes can be fragile, but the ±1% to 2% opening tolerances make it unequaled for accuracy. This mesh is best suited for the precision sieving of fine powders.
Non-metallic meshes made from polyester or nylon are considerably cheaper than metal sieve cloth, but their wear resistance is comparatively quite low. Opening sizes are consistent but do not meet ASTM E11 or ISO 3310-1 specifications. They are a good option for disposable or non-standard testing applications, or to prevent cross-contamination of samples.
- Frame Materials, brass, and stainless-steel sieve frames have similar pros and cons to brass or stainless-steel sieve mesh. Brass frames are resistant to sparking and were formerly economical but have now risen in cost. Stainless steel holds the edge for durability, low contamination, and cost-effectiveness. Stainless steel’s resistance to deformation means sieve frames will hold their shape better for more accurate and repeatable operation over time.
Frames made from acrylic or polycarbonate plastics are less durable than metal but allow observation of particle action to fine-tune the input of agitation energy. They are also free of corrosion issues and less of a concern for sample contamination. Acrylic frames are machined for a close fit between stacked sieves, ensuring minimal loss of sample material.
- Frame Diameters are the inside diameter of a test sieve, not the frame height or sample mass, which determines the allowable sample volume. For effective separation of fractions, each particle must be presented to multiple openings many times in different orientations during agitation. A large sample volume in a small frame means particles may not have sufficient opportunities to pass the mesh openings. A rule of thumb is that there should not be more than one to two layers of material remaining on the mesh surface at the completion of a test cycle.
The most popular frame diameters for conventional round test sieves are 8in and 12in (203 and 305mm) for ASTM E11 sieves, or 200mm and 300mm for ISO 3310-1 test sieves. (ASTM and ISO sieve frames will not nest together.) Available diameters range from 3in (76mm) to as large as 18in (457mm). ISO sieves have similar diameters.
- Frame Height, optimizing the frame height of sieves not only impacts sieving accuracy and repeatability but also enhances production efficiency in your laboratory. Frame heights 1-1/2 to two times greater than the maximum particle size for the individual fraction allow enough vertical space for particle movement during the agitation for maximum tries at mesh openings. For coarse fractions, this usually means full-height sieves should be used. However, finer fractions allow the use of intermediate or half-height sieves and the opportunity for more sieves in a stack and reduced stack height for each test. That can translate to fewer test cycles and less time for a complete gradation. For wet-wash sieving, increased frame height reduces sample loss during washing.
Why Would I need a Non-Conventional Sieve?
Non-conventional sieves come in many forms, but all have some unique features or features that make them more functional, more accurate, or more economical for use with certain methods, applications, or materials. The charts below highlight the features of some non-conventional sieves and their uses.
 | ASTM Precision Electroformed Sieves |
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 | Micron Air Jet Test Sieve |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | Deep Frame Wet-Wash Sieves |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | Replaceable Mesh Wet-Wash Sieves |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | Rocker Screen Set |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | Two-Part Replaceable Mesh Sieves |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | 3in Non-Metallic Sieves |
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| Related Sieving Equipment |
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 | 3in Acrylic Frame Test Sieves |
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| Related Sieving Equipment | |
| Additional Information |
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Test Sieves are Not a One-Size-Fits-All Product
We hope this blog post has helped you understand the features of conventional vs non-conventional test sieves. Please contact our testing experts to discuss your application.
